Results 5,601-5,620 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named applied to join the Agri-Environment Options Scheme in 2011 and was notified in writing by letter dated 28 September 2011 of his acceptance into the scheme and advised that the contract commencement date was 1 September 2011. In the application submitted the person named elected to sow 2.6ha of Wild Bird Cover on a specific land parcel and approval was based on this...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: Charges at each of the six Fishery Harbour Centres are levied by virtue of the Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates & Charges) Order 2003. My Department has however recently conducted a review of the 2003 Order and I can confirm that a draft Rates & Charges Order has been published on foot of that review. That draft Order is currently the subject of a public consultation process. I can also...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: The use of overseas companies for printing work by State Agencies is an operational matter for the Bodies concerned.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (19 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 13th May 2011. This application was selected for a cross compliance inspection. In preparation for this inspection officials from this Department unsuccessfully attempted to contact the first person named by telephone on the 27th of May 2011 to arrange the inspection. On the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (19 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2008 and received payments for the first three years of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. Administrative checks in respect of 2011 payments have been...

Written Answers — Agri-Environmental Options Scheme: Agri-Environmental Options Scheme (19 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am currently considering the possibility of re-opening the Agri-environmental Options Scheme on an amended basis or limited scale in 2012. The full year cost of any new scheme will arise on the 2013 Estimate for my Department and accordingly, the decision will be taken in the context of my Department's expenditure ceiling for 2013 as agreed by the Government, and in particular, on how a new...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (19 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: Charges at each of the six Fishery Harbour Centres are levied by virtue of the Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates & Charges) Order 2003. My Department has however recently conducted a review of the 2003 Order and I can confirm that a draft Rates & Charges Order has been published on foot of that review. That draft Order is currently the subject of a public consultation process. My Department...

Written Answers — Agri-Environmental Options Scheme: Agri-Environmental Options Scheme (19 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am fully committed to agri-environment schemes which both put environmentally-friendly farming to the forefront and which recognise the vital role farmers play in delivering public goods for the benefit of society which have a role in supporting the farm incomes of participating farmers. I am currently considering the possibility of re-opening the Agri-environmental Options Scheme on an...

Written Answers — Beef Industry: Beef Industry (19 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 to 168, inclusive, together. The establishment of an effective discussion group model similar to that successfully employed in the dairy sector was a key recommendations of the report of the industry-led Beef 2020 Activation Group which was set up to advise on the implementation of the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. The Beef Technology Adoption Programme...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (19 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: I remain fully committed to continuing to implement the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS 4) under the current Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. The scheme, together with the Agri-environment options Scheme (AEOS), is designed to encourage farmers to go beyond basic good farming practice and to farm in a way that benefits the landscape, biodiversity and water quality. Both...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person concerned submitted an application for grant-aid under the Sheep Fencing/Handling Scheme on 16 December 2010 and was approved into the Scheme on 8 September 2011. The applicant has submitted a payment claim and payment of the grant will take place when it has been determined that all the terms and conditions of the Scheme have been complied with. These checks will be completed as...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (24 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: The consideration of this application, which was received in November 2011, is nearing completion and it is intended to issue a decision shortly.

Written Answers — Fur Farming: Fur Farming (24 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: Holders of licences to keep mink are subject to conditions which include compliance with all relevant legislation concerning the environment, animal health and welfare. Licence holders are subject to regular inspection by officials from my Department to establish that they are compliant with those conditions. Mink carcasses are generally disposed of by rendering as animal by products (ABP)...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (24 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: The changes to the rules governing the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, as outlined in the following paragraphs, have today been published by my Department. However, as these proposals have yet to be approved by the EU Commission, they may be subject to change. Terms & Conditions booklets currently being prepared and will be issued in the coming days to each individual land owner whose farm...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st November 2010 and full payment totalling €639.03 issued in respect of 2010. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be...

Written Answers — Fur Farming: Fur Farming (24 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Review Group set up in my Department to review the issue of fur farming will shortly conclude its report. I will consider what action, if any, to take following receipt of the report.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: A 10-year management plan is required for this plantation before any further premium payments can be made. A template form for the management plan was sent to the applicant in 2011 and it must be completed by the applicant's forester. A duplicate form has recently been issued by the Forest Service.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: As indicated in response to a previous question from the Deputy on 27th March 2012, this case is currently subject to a review. This review is at an advanced stage and a decision will be forwarded to the person named as soon as it is available. If the person named is not satisfied with the outcome of the review he can have the case referred to the Independent Agriculture Appeals Office.

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (24 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: Under the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which I will be publishing shortly, cats living in the wild will receive the same protection from cruelty as any other wild animal. Cats owned as pets, or otherwise, are classed as "protected animals" within the meaning of the Bill and persons keeping cats as pets will be required to safeguard their welfare and provide them with adequate food, water...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in August 2009 and received payment for the first year of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. During the administrative checks in 2010 an issue arose in relation...